Food and Nutrition for Older Adults

Grocery programs and food pantries provide supplemental bags of groceries to low-income older adults and adults with disabilities.  

Mercy Brown Bag

The Mercy Retirement & Care Center’s Brown Bag Program provides a bag of supplemental groceries twice a month to eligible low-income seniors. The bags are distributed throughout Alameda County. Normally the bags consist of bread, fresh produce, assorted canned foods & other items depending on availability.

COVID-19 Update: Bags are either dropped off at a local site for no-contact pick up or delivered directly to your home. To register and for pickup site or home delivery information, call: 510-534-8540 ext. 369

Alameda County Community Food Bank 

The local food bank provides USDA (Dept. of Agriculture) groceries through many sites in Alameda County. Most distribution sites are through the local faith community. Call the Food Helpline for the site nearest you at 1-800-870-3663 (FOOD).

City of Alameda Food Bank (serves City of Alameda residents only)

Food distribution and food pantry information, call 510-523-5850.

Project Open Hand, Oakland Offices 

Open to Wellness Program clients from 10am – 2pm; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (closed Wednesdays), call 510-622-0221.

Tri-City Volunteers (serves Newark, Fremont, Union City residents)

Emergency Food Baskets and food distribution. For more information call Fremont office: 510-793-4583

Local Senior Centers

Contact your local senior center to find out if they offer groceries for their constituents.

There are several home-delivered meal programs in Alameda County. They deliver meals to older adults who are homebound and are unable to provide for themselves. Meals are provided Monday through Friday. There is a suggested donation, however services will not be denied if you are unable to make a donation.

The programs available for home delivered meals are listed below. Call your local program for more information.

COVID-19 Update: Older Adults, age 60 years and older, that are unable get out to obtain food, are eligible for home-delivered meals.

Alameda Meals on Wheels 

Serves: all ages
City: City of Alameda
Contact: 510-865-6131

LIFE ElderCare 

Serves: 60+
Cities: Fremont, Newark, & Union City
Contact: 510-894-0370

J-Sei 

Serves: 60+, Japanese style meals
Cities: Emeryville, Berkeley, Oakland
Contact: 510-654-4000 ext.15

SOS/Meals on Wheels 

Serves: 60+
Cities: Oakland, Piedmont, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Cherryland, Ashland, & San Leandro
Contact: 510-582-1263

Spectrum Community Services 

Serves: ages 60+
Cities: Dublin, Pleasanton, & Sunol
Contact: 925.931.5385

City: Livermore
Contact: 925.421.4657

Tri-City Meals on Wheels 

Serves: ages 60+
City: Berkeley
Contact: 510-981-5250

City: Albany
Contact: 510-524-9124

City: Emeryville
Contact: 510-596-4309

Group dining at senior centers and other locations all over Alameda County provide nutritious hot meals. Several sites serve meals Monday through Friday; however, some locations may have different schedules. 

COVID-19 update: In response to the current Shelter in Place Order for Alameda County as issued by the Public Health Officer, group dining sites have modified their operations in an effort to protect the health and well-being of older Adults. As an alternative, group dining sites are only offering either a “Grab and Go”, a meal delivery, or a “Drive-thru” option at this time. It is required to contact the program in advance to sign-up for a meal option. If you would like more information about how to enroll, contact the program directly. The Older Adult Meal programs are listed below. 

Open Heart Kitchen

Sites: Dublin Senior Center, Pleasanton Senior Center and Livermore Senior Center
Reservation Line: 925-500-8241
Website: www.openheartkitchen.org

Spectrum Community Services

Serves: Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland, San Leandro, Union City
Click for the nearest site location
Reservation Line: 510-881-0300 x242
Website: www.spectrumcs.org/senior-services/senior-meals

Tri-City Cafés

Sites:
Albany Senior Center
Reservation Line: 510-524-9122

Berkeley Senior Centers
Reservation Line: 510-981-5170

Emeryville Senior Center
Reservation Line: 510-596-3730

J-Sei

Serves: Emeryville, Oakland, Berkeley
Japanese Style Meals
Reservation Line: 510-654-4000 x15
Website: https://j-sei.org/seniorservices/nutrition/